Slashdot Mirror

• Sonic Mega Collection includes all the 16-bit Sonic games plus a few nifty extras and bonuses, such as Ristar and some history of the blue hedgehog. It retails for $40. Keep in mind that's for Sonic 1, 2, 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 + Knuckles, Sonic 2 + Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Mean Bean Machine, Flicky, and Ristar. That's a great deal if you missed out on these games the first time around. They're aged very well.
• $40 also picked up a port of the first Sonic Adventure title for the Dreamcast, now upgraded to Sonic Adventure DX. It also includes all the Sonic games for the Game Gear as hidden unlockables. The port's a little rough around the edges, but it's still a great buy if you missed out on it the first time around.
• Part of the Player's Choice series includes Sega's port of Sonic Adventure 2, now redone as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. This one costs only $30 and includes some multiplayer enhancements that weren't present in the original Dreamcast version.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

• Sonic Mega Collection includes all the 16-bit Sonic games plus a few nifty extras and bonuses, such as Ristar and some history of the blue hedgehog. It retails for $40. Keep in mind that's for Sonic 1, 2, 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 + Knuckles, Sonic 2 + Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Mean Bean Machine, Flicky, and Ristar. That's a great deal if you missed out on these games the first time around. They're aged very well.
• $40 also picked up a port of the first Sonic Adventure title for the Dreamcast, now upgraded to Sonic Adventure DX. It also includes all the Sonic games for the Game Gear as hidden unlockables. The port's a little rough around the edges, but it's still a great buy if you missed out on it the first time around.
• Part of the Player's Choice series includes Sega's port of Sonic Adventure 2, now redone as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. This one costs only $30 and includes some multiplayer enhancements that weren't present in the original Dreamcast version.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

• Sonic Mega Collection includes all the 16-bit Sonic games plus a few nifty extras and bonuses, such as Ristar and some history of the blue hedgehog. It retails for $40. Keep in mind that's for Sonic 1, 2, 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 + Knuckles, Sonic 2 + Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Mean Bean Machine, Flicky, and Ristar. That's a great deal if you missed out on these games the first time around. They're aged very well.
• $40 also picked up a port of the first Sonic Adventure title for the Dreamcast, now upgraded to Sonic Adventure DX. It also includes all the Sonic games for the Game Gear as hidden unlockables. The port's a little rough around the edges, but it's still a great buy if you missed out on it the first time around.
• Part of the Player's Choice series includes Sega's port of Sonic Adventure 2, now redone as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. This one costs only $30 and includes some multiplayer enhancements that weren't present in the original Dreamcast version.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

• Sonic Mega Collection includes all the 16-bit Sonic games plus a few nifty extras and bonuses, such as Ristar and some history of the blue hedgehog. It retails for $40. Keep in mind that's for Sonic 1, 2, 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 + Knuckles, Sonic 2 + Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Mean Bean Machine, Flicky, and Ristar. That's a great deal if you missed out on these games the first time around. They're aged very well.
• $40 also picked up a port of the first Sonic Adventure title for the Dreamcast, now upgraded to Sonic Adventure DX. It also includes all the Sonic games for the Game Gear as hidden unlockables. The port's a little rough around the edges, but it's still a great buy if you missed out on it the first time around.
• Part of the Player's Choice series includes Sega's port of Sonic Adventure 2, now redone as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. This one costs only $30 and includes some multiplayer enhancements that weren't present in the original Dreamcast version.

Happy shopping and happy holidays!

And thanks to those early breakthroughs, you can buy a self-contained monkey collision simulator unit for about $100 these days. Ah, the wonders of technology.

It seems that the speculation of Nintendo releasing a console next year could be true?

I read the page referenced in the above post - Zelda Classic - and I had a great idea...

Add $15 or so to the subscription and send out a demo disc (or bonus disc?) each month - like what they have in the stores already. It shouldn't cost them more than about $1 each month as they are already making the discs....

Basically for me, that would rock. Then I don't have to look like a doofus at Target kicking the little kids off so I can check out the latest demos and movies...

I saw someone asking before how others can get the disc if they already have a GCN, or just bought one not long ago. Nintendo has details on their web site under Zelda Classic.

Basically you can buy a subscription to Nintendo Power, or if you haven't registered your system yet, you can do that along with two other holiday release games.

And of course, seven minutes after this story hit the Zelda bundle became official.

You remember the Super GameBoy. Also, the GameCube can play GBA/GBC/GB games via an adaptor.

Look, you fucking idiot, your article says they lost $27 million (3 billion Yen) for the first half of the year. Do you know what a half of a year is? It's two quarters. For the first quarter ending June 30, they made 11.45 billion Yen (~$105 million) in profits. That means that in the second quarter, which ended September 30, THEY LOST 14.45 BILLION YEN (~$132 MILLION). Do you understand simple math? Q1 + Q2 = H1. (+11.45 billion) + (-14.45 billion) = -3 billion. Is it sinking in yet? If not, you're beyond hope, you imbecile.

Again, a recap. Microsoft: Making money. Sony: Making money. Sega: Making money. Nintendo: Losing money.

Yes, I do.

It's already on GameBoy Advance, so you'd have to buy the GBA->GCN Adapter.

Just wait unilt the release date. After Wind Waker was released and they started to pack the first bonus disk in with the consoles, they also bundled it with a Nintendo Power subscription at their online store. So even if they don't make it a pre-order gimmick for Four Swords GCN, you'll still be able to get it.

I'm currently putting off a few other orders from their store until this comes out (mmm... SNES s-video...).

Nintendo has been making card games, trading cards and board games since 1902, and they've produced them ever since. Tading cards for the American market, Japanese market, the lot.

If you're keen on reading up about this deceptively old company, check any of these out.

• GameCube system & controller
• Extra controller
• Memory Card 59
• 2 Memory Card 251's
• Mario Sunshine
• NFL Blitz 20 02
• Madden 2003
• F-Zero GX
• Animal Crossing

If you plan on picking one of these up, plan on looking for some wireless controllers with it - the controller ports are (delightfully) in the back. This is a Good Thing. The device looks better (you don't have cables hanging off the front of your DVD player, do you?), and it encourages people to go for a more elegant solution. If only Sony had doen the first-party wireless thing. Oh well.

--Dan

I'm amused when game developers manage to sneak one by the censor.

For example, I'm playing "Golden Sun" on Game Boy Advance, and the teenage female character just got some "armor" which consists of a Geisha-type robe. One of her attacks is to open the robe, reducing the enemy's chance to attack by distracting him. He gets surrounded by little heart symbols. So now I have a teenage girl who distracts giant gorillas by sexually arousing them... Oh yeah, that's an "E for everyone" game all right.

Also, when playing "Ape Escape 2", all the monkeys have names. I laughed when I found one called "Spank"... That was probably the UK translator's doing, though.

• NES emulators for GBA
• GBA flash cartridge to put the emulator and ROMs onto
• Game Boy Player to plug the GBA NES flash cartridge into the GameCube

This is great, now I can live out my childhood dreams. I don't know if any of you have played the game Bionic Commando for the original Nintendo, now also on GameBoy. As a child I used to look up to my Bionic hero and now I can become him and live in a world where I will foil plots of wordly super villains.

Instead of buying batteries in bulk, just buy an SP...

Just because a system announces a price drop that doesn't mean something new is on the horizon. Heck the price dropped two summers ago to its last current price ($149).

If you read the press release on nintnedo's website it's obvious this is a pre-emptive holiday drop.

Either way, for me the question is which color to get.... Platinum matches my GBA, but Black matches the PS2 which it'll sit next to or on top of.

Decisions, decisions....

The GameCube Specifications describe it basically as a 485 MHz PowerPC 750 (IBM's "Gekko"). This would be roughly analagous to a high-end PowerMac G3 or an entry-level PowerMac G4, perhaps something like the Apple PowerMac G4 Cube.

Yeah, I have a tough time buying the "$99,000" thing, because "A few years ago" was the year 2000, the same year the more powerful Apple PowerMac G4 Cube was released at 450 MHz, and the GameCube itself debuted in 2001!

check here, here, or here for further reference.

Thank you for playing.

Go buy a game console.

Gamecube
PlayStation
XBox

No kidding. I just picked up a (very sleek) Gameboy SP (in onyx black, of course) after seeing Advance Wars 2 and Final Fantasy Tactics on a friend's system.

These two are amazingly good for a portable system and would have even done well as Playstation 1 games.

"for this the GC would need a harddrive... "

Why? I don't think a game is going to fill up a 64 MB SD memory card unless you're going to try downloading N64 carts.

Nevertheless, it is refreshing to see video games recieving positive media. And despite this, games such as Grand Theft Auto will forever serve as targets for the anti-game pundits.

Now excuse me while I look up secrets to the new Mario Golf game. I love video games that neither benefit nor harm you in any measurable way, only aim to entertain. This is why I hope Nintendo is still around when I have kids. I would much rather have my daughter playing "Animal Crossing 4: Happy Fun Land" than busting caps into pilots heads in "Grand Theft Aero 2: Jumbojet Bane".

If I wanted a simple lets see how fast I can press buttons, then I would use a ps/2 or xbox and not a pc.

If you really want a game where you see how fast you can press buttons, you should try WarioWare, Inc..

It all depends on your definition.

If you mean "M" rated games, then your answer is provided for you by Nintendo themselves.

There are currentlyexactly 16 "M" rated games for the Gamecube.

But if by "adult" you mean games that have compley stories or gameplay, or ore otherwise suitable to entertain more mature audiences (without nessisarily resorting to sex or violence) then I'm not sure how you'd pin a number on that. But I am certain the list is much, much larger.

Last year I was trying to reason with one of the higher level Managers at Nintendo USA regarding emulation and emulators. I was trying to persuade him to sanction the sale and development of an emulator that would allow the old Nintendo and N64 games to be played on a different platform.

He told me video games revenues are going to surpass Box-Office sales in the future and ONLINE gaming will probably become its own religion. This video game entertainment industry is worth billions and no one wants to see the old games around anymore since you might stop buying new games for a few weeks and revisit some of the classics. Can you imagine that? Someone might actually want to play an sweet classic game instead of a newer lame game? Think of all the new games you've tried/rented and how bad most of them suck. Most of the new games end up costing $20 or less within a month after release because they are so lame.

Here is Nintendo's Position on emulators they say it's ILLEGAL even if you OWN THE ROMS. Nintendo is really a sentimental bunch when it comes to retaining pieces of our childhood. I'd like to see someone test this in court, but they would probably lose.

Here is an excerpt from their LEGAL FAQ

Can I Download a Nintendo ROM from the Internet if I Already Own the Authentic Game?

There is a good deal of misinformation on the Internet regarding the backup/archival copy exception. It is not a "second copy" rule and is often mistakenly cited for the proposition that if you have one lawful copy of a copyrighted work, you are entitled to have a second copy of the copyrighted work even if that second copy is an infringing copy. The backup/archival copy exception is a very narrow limitation relating to a copy being made by the rightful owner of an authentic game to ensure he or she has one in the event of damage or destruction of the authentic. Therefore, whether you have an authentic game or not, or whether you have possession of a Nintendo ROM for a limited amount of time, i.e. 24 hours, it is illegal to download and play a Nintendo ROM from the Internet.

How Does Nintendo Feel About the Emergence of Video Game Emulators?

The introduction of emulators created to play illegally copied Nintendo software represents the greatest threat to date to the intellectual property rights of video game developers. As is the case with any business or industry, when its products become available for free, the revenue stream supporting that industry is threatened. Such emulators have the potential to significantly damage a worldwide entertainment software industry which generates over $15 billion annually, and tens of thousands of jobs.

What Does Nintendo Think of the Argument that Emulators are Actually Good for Nintendo Because it Promotes the Nintendo Brand to PC Users and Leads to More Sales?

Distribution of an emulator developed to play illegally copied Nintendo software hurts Nintendo's goodwill, the millions of dollars invested in research & development and marketing by Nintendo and its licensees. Substantial damages are caused to Nintendo and its licensees. It is irrelevant whether or not someone profits from the distribution of an emulator. The emulator promotes the play of illegal ROMs , NOT authentic games. Thus, not only does it not lead to more sales, it has the opposite effect and purpose.

How Come Nintendo Does Not Take Steps Towards Legitimizing Nintendo Emulators?

Emulators developed to play illegally copied Nintendo software promote piracy. That's like asking why doesn't Nintendo legitimize piracy. It doesn't make any business sense. It's that simple and not open to debate.

People Making Nintendo Emulators and Nintendo ROMs are Helping Publishers by Making Old Games Available that are No Longer Being Sold by the Copyright Owner. This Does Not Hurt Anyone and Allows Gamers to Play Old Favorites. What's the Problem?

The problem is that it's illegal. Copyrights

I meant, of course, the GCN version. The Kirby license did get removed from the game, even though it would use there Kriby's Tilt and Tumble cartdridge's motion sensor. I've not found an article about the game in about a year, but Nintendo still has a product page for it on their website. It's definetly not going to be a high profile game, but I doubt that Nintendo has canned it altogether.

Actually Kirby Tilt and Tumble WAS released for the GameBoy Colour. Here is the game info The GCN/GBA title that was shown before the GCN was released was the game that wasn't released and seems to have disappeared alltogether.

Nintendo's page on the GCN's connectivity
IGN's page on the modem
IGN's page on the ethernet adaptor

"That's not flying! That's falling with style." ;)
-- Woody

All kidding aside, due props to the fellow. Anyone else had flashbacks to Pilotwings 64 on the Nintendo 64?

The info page at Nintendo about the broadband stuff (http://www.nintendo.com/online/buy_bba.jsp) is where I got my info. I figured it'd probably work with my setup, but wasn't sure. Nintendo probably just wants to be extra cautious and not worry about supporting people with strange home networking setups.

The new Mozilla marketing push reminds me of the TurboGrafx-16 and Nintendo 64 days. "We've got the better browser. And that's what really matters," says a member of the Mozilla Foundation team challenging Internet Explorer's overwhelming dominance in the browser market. Well, the TurboGrafx 16 was technically superior to the Sega Genesis, as was the Nintendo 64 to the Sony Playstation. Guess which game systems won the market share race? The inferior ones. (Beta vs. VHS, anyone?) Guess which systems I bought? The superior ones. Guess how many of my friends I could share games with? Zero, because they had Sega and Sony.

Jeff Howden at evolt.org has a realistic view of what's likely to happen to Mozilla:

"Mozilla won't win with the general public by having a superior feature set. It won't win by rendering faster or being more standards-compliant. Heck, IE didn't do any of those things to get where it is today. It's on top because it's on every desktop."

Too true. It's on mine too, but I use Mozilla. Unfortunately, me plus 1.2 percent of Web users does not a viable market make.

http://www.nintendo.com/corp/history.html

*Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land
*007: Nightfire
*Rock N' Roll Racing

Also try Ikaruga.

It's a verticly scrolling shooter game in the same genre as Gradius or R-Type. And it has two player cooperative play.

GREAT gameplay. My only gripe is that it was ported from an arcade game with a vertical (portrait) aspect ratio, so you either get black bars on the sides of your TV screen, or you get the top and bottom of your view cut off.

You know, a company already did this, and their solution was smaller (you can carry it on your back, indeed), easier to use, and includes an artificial intelligence program that helps the user on many situations.

Japanese always do it better...

Actually, it says right here that it uses a lithium ion battery. 10-18 hours. Finally someone got the right idea. :)

Try here

--Jeremy

Just order a friggin' adapter. It's $4.25 on Nintendo's site. If you can afford the $99.95 for a GBA SP, you can surely afford the adapter.

--Jeremy

Nintendo's list of Player's Choice games: http://www.nintendo.com/games/players_choice.jsp

Well, yes and no. Looking at Nintendo's current Top Ten List, we see that 3 of the current (monthly? ) top ten are Player's Choice games: Super Smash Bros Melee, Luigi's Mansion, and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Considering that these are all games that came out in late 2001 or early 2002, Mario Sunshine and Zelda probably haven't been out long enough to sell that many titles.

Of course, the games that have been out the longest are the ones likely to have the lowest demand.

Well, yes and no. Looking at Nintendo's current Top Ten List, we see that 3 of the current (monthly? ) top ten are Player's Choice games: Super Smash Bros Melee, Luigi's Mansion, and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. Considering that these are all games that came out in late 2001 or early 2002, Mario Sunshine and Zelda probably haven't been out long enough to sell that many titles.

Of course, the games that have been out the longest are the ones likely to have the lowest demand.

How can I submit my game idea?

Nintendo is unable to use or pass along any unsolicited game or product ideas. As you can probably guess, we receive tons of fantastic suggestions each month from fans like you. It would be great if we could use these ideas to develop actual products. However, developing new products requires a large investment of both time and money. In fact, creating top-notch video game products can take several years to complete and cost hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars!

Although we don't use the specific ideas we receive, we do track what kinds of games and accessories our players would like to see developed. The best way to let us know what you like is to enter Nintendo Power magazine's Player's Poll contest. Each month, entrants list their five favorite games for each system. The results from the Player's Poll entries are used to figure out our readers' favorite games.

Looks like another familiar media, too.

You know what nVidia's been up to, but apparently not what ATI's been doing.

In addition to consumer graphics products, ATI makes integrated chipsets and mobile graphics chips, as well as TV-tuners and professional products. ATI's chips also power Nintendo's Gamecube console and Triforce arcade system. They even make(made?) modems.

That said, neither company seems all that diversified to me. Diversification would be one of these companies breaking into the fast food market or something similarly distant from computer graphics.